Christ Church Anglican Parish of Warrnambool
Peal of three German Bells: Memorial to Frederick Stephen STEVENS, Messrs Radler of Hanover, Germany, Late nineteenth century
The bells were sent to the Melbourne Exhibition of 1881. They were awarded first prize. Guaranteed to chime to the sixteenth of a tone. They were purchased by Frederick Perkins Stevens and given to Christ Church Warrnambool as a gift in memory of his son, Frederick Stephen Stevens, who died at his Queensland property in1879.These German bells are the oldest matched peal in Australia.Three bells weighing 9cwt, 5cwt and 3cwt respectively, decorated with angels, medallions and inscriptionsThe largest bell has "Gloria in excelsis Deo: (Glory to
God in the highest)"Vivos voco" (I summon the living) and "Motuos plango" (I bewail the dead). The second bell has "In terra pax" (Peace on earth); and the third bell has "In hominibus beneplacitum" (Goodwill towards men) Another inscription in German is "Siehe die Steine Rufen, Ehre sei Gott in de Hohe" (Behold the stones cry, Honour to God in the height)frederick perkins stevens, frederick stephen stevens, melbourne exhibition 1881, radler, warrnambool victoria